Chapter 75

Now, upon hearing that Yujiao had been redeemed by someone else, it felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him, leaving him dazed.

After a moment, he regained his composure, feeling as if a piece of his heart had been torn away. He hurriedly grabbed the sleeve of the delicate young girl: "Who? Who took Yujiao?"

"Master Zhou!" The delicate young girl struggled hard.

Zhou Yuting, burning with anxiety, gripped her even tighter and shouted: "Tell me, who is it!"

"Master Zhou, you're hurting me!" The delicate young girl scolded.

She refused to speak, and Zhou Yuting, in a fit of anger, shook her small body forcefully: "Tell me! Tell me!"

The delicate young girl, helpless, gently struggled free from Zhou Yuting's large hand, tidied her pink silk robe, and said irritably: "Master Zhou, can you calm down?"

Zhou Yuting was stunned, looking at her in surprise. But now was not the time to wonder about her unusual martial arts skills. He hurriedly said: "Tell me, who is it?"

"I don't know," the delicate young girl shook her head. "The person didn't reveal their identity, just offered 100,000 taels to redeem Sister Yujiao. Sister Yujiao agreed, and the madam didn't stop her. Sister Yujiao left with the gentleman in the afternoon."

"What does he look like?" Zhou Yuting asked urgently.

"Remarkable presence," the delicate young girl smiled. "He seemed like a good person, so Sister Yujiao agreed without hesitation."

"Yujiao... Yujiao..." Zhou Yuting muttered to himself, his heart feeling as if it had fallen into an ice cave, his chest feeling as if it were stuffed with cotton, making it hard to breathe.

The delicate young girl said: "Master Zhou, besides Sister Yujiao, there are other sisters who can surely satisfy you. Why must you be so fixated on Sister Yujiao? Come, let me introduce you to another sister!"

"I only like Yujiao!" Zhou Yuting whispered, his spirit lost.

The delicate young girl smiled and said: "I didn't expect Master Zhou to be such a devoted lover. Sister Yujiao would be very happy to know!"

"Did Yujiao leave an address?" Zhou Yuting reached out to grab her.

The delicate young girl lightly stepped back to avoid him: "It seems she did, but the madam won't give it to you!"

Zhou Yuting quickly put on a pleading smile: "Dear sister, please help me!"

The delicate young girl smiled and said: "What's in it for me if I help you?"

Zhou Yuting took out 100 taels from his pocket and handed it to her: "Buy some sweets, and I promise I won't forget you!"

"...Alright, for your devotion, I'll help you ask." The delicate young girl took the silver note, put it in her sleeve, and smiled at Zhou Yuting before gracefully leaving: "Wait here!"

Zhou Yuting nodded eagerly.

Thinking of Yujiao leaving without a word, his heart ached as if cut by a knife, but he was not willing to give up. Thinking of Yujiao's charming face, his heart filled with pity, wondering if she would suffer!

Yujiao was too innocent and easily deceived. If the person who redeemed her was a bad guy, who would protect her from abuse and insults?

After a while, the delicate young girl returned gracefully, smiling and handing him a plain note: "Done!"

"Thank you, sister! Thank you, sister!" Zhou Yuting was overjoyed, quickly taking the note, carefully opening it, and nodding vigorously after seeing the address: "Good, good!"

He clasped his hands: "I'll come back to thank you another day."

"Don't cause any trouble," the delicate young girl said. "Although you are from the Guogong Mansion, the person who offered 100,000 taels is not to be underestimated. You might not be able to handle him!"

"I understand, I just want to see Yujiao one last time," Zhou Yuting nodded. "As long as she is well, I won't disturb her!"

"Ah..." The delicate young girl watched him stride away, shaking her head. Love was truly a strange thing, capable of transforming a person.

---

Zhou Yuting strode out of the Yaoyue Tower, ignoring Gu Liting, and headed straight for the address on the note. The residents of Tianjing Alley were all wealthy or noble, but they could not stop his determination.

He walked through the bustling streets and arrived at Tianjing Alley, stopping in front of a house.

Without hesitation, he used his lightness skill to land in the front courtyard.

The courtyard was brightly lit. As soon as he landed, he saw the door of the main hall open, and a graceful figure caught his eye. He widened his eyes, breathing heavily, and rushed towards the hall.

Inside the hall, Chu Li sat in a grand chair, smiling as he watched Yujiao dance.

Yujiao was a beautiful woman with a well-proportioned and slender figure, her features charming and delicate, evoking pity.

She danced gracefully, her movements refined and well-trained.

Chu Li suddenly clapped his hands and smiled: "Well done, Miss Yujiao, Brother Zhou has arrived!"

Yujiao turned and exclaimed in surprise: "Master Zhou!"

Zhou Yuting hurried forward: "Yujiao, why are you here!"

Yujiao rushed into his arms and looked up: "Wasn't it you who redeemed me?"

"I—?" Zhou Yuting was stunned, looking at Chu Li.

Chu Li, dressed in a green robe, sat quietly in the grand chair, smiling at them.

"Chu, what are you up to?" Zhou Yuting said irritably.

He was seething with anger, ready to burst at any moment. The fact that this guy had Yujiao dance for him was infuriating!

Chu Li smiled: "Miss Yujiao, let us have a private word."

"Yes," Yujiao replied softly and gracefully left.

Zhou Yuting opened his mouth but ultimately did not stop her, turning to glare at Chu Li.

Chu Li pointed to the grand chair beside him and smiled: "Brother Zhou, sit down and talk. Why so angry? I thought Brother Zhou would be grateful to me."

"Grateful?" Zhou Yuting sneered. "Humph!"

Chu Li said: "I redeemed Miss Yujiao for you. Shouldn't you say thank you, Brother Zhou?"

"Yujiao is mine!" Zhou Yuting shouted.

"Of course," Chu Li smiled. "The 100,000 taels can be considered a loan to you, Brother Zhou. You can pay it back slowly."

Zhou Yuting's expression softened, and he frowned: "Really?"

Chu Li smiled: "Have I ever gone back on my word?"

Zhou Yuting glared at him warily and said: "What do you want? Offering help for nothing?"

"Actually, it's nothing much," Chu Li shook his head. "It's a small matter for Brother Zhou, something you can do easily."

"Speak up, what do you want me to do?" Zhou Yuting said.

He understood that Chu Li was using both threats and inducements. If he did not agree, Chu would take Yujiao away.

"I want you to tell the truth to the eldest son," Chu Li sipped his tea. "Tell him what Brother Gu did."

"No way!" Zhou Yuting said firmly.

Chu Li sighed: "It seems Brother Zhou values Brother Gu more. Women are like clothes, brothers are like hands and feet!"

"Betraying trust," Zhou Yuting shook his head. "I won't be such a despicable person!"

Chu Li laughed: "Brother Zhou, you are truly naive!"

"Who is naive!" Zhou Yuting said irritably. "I won't agree, no matter what you say!"

"Brother Zhou, I admire your sense of righteousness," Chu Li said seriously.

Zhou Yuting grunted.

Chu Li said: "But, righteousness should be applied to the right people. Is it not naive to show righteousness to a wolf?"

Zhou Yuting opened his mouth, but Chu Li waved to stop him: "Let me put it this way. If it were Brother Gu standing here today, would he agree?"